Nevada was the fastest growing state in the U.S. over the last half of the 20th century. Its population increased from a mere 160,000 in 1950 to just over 2,000,000 in 2001. It was the 36th state to be admitted to the Union whose official statehood was proclaimed on in October of 1864. Nevada is one of the nation's largest states with thousands of square miles of protected wetlands, like those found in the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge or Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex, are premium choices for getting back to nature.

Origin of State's Name: The name Nevada comes from the Spanish Sierra Nevada, or snow-covered mountain range. "Nevada" is the Spanish feminine form of "covered in snow."

Capital City: Carson City is approximately 153-square-miles in area and has a population of nearing 53,000. The splendid mountains cut off and exhaust the moisture of the air currents constantly flowing from the Pacific Ocean; consequently, they pass rainless over the broad basin region, turning the area desert-like.

Population: Nevada has a population of approximately 2.1 million.

Driving: Driver's license information, applications, testing requirements, driver's manuals and testing locations can be found on the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.

Agriculture and Industry: Major industries include cattle, hay, dairy products and potatoes; Tourism, mining, machinery, printing and publishing, food processing and electric equipment are the state's leading industries.

State Bird: Nevada designated the mountain bluebird as the official state bird in 1967. A member of the thrush family, the mountain bluebird lives in Nevada's high country.

State Tree: The bristlecone pine is the official state tree of Nevada.

State Flower: Nevada designated sagebrush as the official state flower in 1917. Sagebrush bushes can grow up to 12-feet tall.

State Song: Written by Bertha Raffetto, "Home Means Nevada" is the official state song.